Globeville Elyria-Swansea (GES) Program of Projects

Project Description

The 2014 Globeville Neighborhood Plan outlines a vision for a unique, strong, connected, and healthy Globeville. Nuisance flooding from stormwater runoff is a well-documented challenge within the community as well as major surface ponding issues in the Argo Park area. The neighborhood sits in the Globeville/Utah Junction Drainage Basin which does not have a formal drainage channel to carry stormwater to the South Platte River. Instead, stormwater drains out of the neighborhood through undersized stormwater pipes and the street network.

The general project alignment starts at the “uphill/upstream” location of Lincoln Street and 48th Avenue, passes through Argo Park, under the BNSF railway, crosses Washington Street, and then continues “downhill/downstream” along 48th Avenue to a new stormwater outfall into the South Platte River.

The Globeville drainage basin has been heavily studied in recent years. The design and construction of this project builds upon the drainage analysis and conceptual design completed as part of the Globeville Stormwater Systems Study (GSSS) – Final Draft December 2019. This initiative will also coordinate and connect with several other ongoing infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood including Heron Pond, Platte Farm Open Space, Washington Street and the Bettie Cram Drive Bridge connecting to the National Western Center.

This project will include a conceptual design of stormwater improvements for the entire project corridor from Lincoln Street to the South Platte River. The stormwater outfall and overlook will begin construction in early 2025. The “downhill/downstream” portion of the project from the west side of Washington Street to the South Platte River will be taken through final design and is planned to be constructed in 2026. This will include the realignment of 48^th Avenue, an underground stormwater box culvert, and a greenway. Once funding becomes available, the final design and construction will be completed for the portions of the project that are “uphill/upstream” from Washington Street to Lincoln Street.

For more information, please visit the 48th Avenue Outfall and Greenway page.

48th Avenue Outfall and Greenway website

Study Goals or Purpose

The 48th Avenue Greenway and Outfall, when complete, will provide relief for some of the drainage problems in the Globeville neighborhood with the potential to create a community connection to the South Platte River, expand access to green space, and further the community’s goal of a more walkable neighborhood.

Overall Project Map

Overall Project Map - Full Size(JPG, 754KB)

Project Schedule

• Outfall work to extend through low flow season in 2025-2026 
• Overall Outfall project completion is expected in 2028 
• Greenway project is in final design through 2025 
• Greenway construction is expected to start in 2026 

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:
Lauren Wulliman – Lauren.Wulliman@denvergov.org

Project Description

Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, or DOTI, will make improvements along 51st Avenue from Logan Street to Emerson Street to help move people safely, whether they’re in a car, on a bike or on foot. The improvements, which are in the design stages, will connect directly with the new bridge over the South Platte River and will provide connectivity between Globeville and the National Western Center.  Additionally, sidewalks will be installed along Clarkson St and the south side of 52nd as part of this effort.

Project Elements

The following elements are being designed as part of this project:

• East of Washington Street build a new 10-foot multi-use path on both the north and south sides of 51st Avenue connecting to the newly updated 51st Street at Emerson.
• West of Washington Street build a new sidewalk on the south side of 51st Avenue and install buffered bike lanes on both sides of the roadway.
• Realign the offset intersection at Washington Street and 51st Avenue. The two existing three-leg intersections will be eliminated, and a new four-leg intersection will be constructed at the location of the eastern leg’s alignment.
• Install a new traffic signal at the new four-leg intersection of Washington St and 51st Avenue and provide pedestrian crossings.
• Improve the railroad crossing on 51st Avenue just east of Logan Street by installing sidewalks and updating the roadway signing and striping on the crossing approach.
• Install sidewalk on both sides of Clarkson Street
• Install sidewalk on the south side of 52nd Avenue
• Underground utilities in the area
• Add wayfinding signage

Study Area Map or Site Drawing

51st Avenue, west of Washington - Full Size(JPG, 86KB)

51st Avenue Improvements Roadway Design Exhibit - Full Size(PDF, 4MB)

Project Schedule

• Right of Way (ROW) and easement acquisition process began in September 2023
• Utility rated preconstruction began in January 2025 and is ongoing 
• Construction is scheduled to begin early in 2026 
• Project completion is expected by August 2027 

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:

Mark Gonzales – mark.gonzales@denvergov.org

Project Description

The City and County of Denver, and Mile High Flood District are moving forward with an engineering design and construction project to upgrade the existing levee and flood control system along the west bank of the South Platte River called the Globeville Levee Improvements. The Globeville Levee improvements will extend from W 31st Street to N Franklin Street.

For more information about the project, construction impacts, and trail detours, please visit the Globeville Levee Improvements page.  For more information about the trail access closure please email: parksandrecreation@denvergov.org 

Globeville Levee Improvements

Construction Announcement: November 2025

Starting in November 2025, access to the South Platte River Trail will be closed at 45th Avenue behind the McDonald's Restaurant. Due to ongoing safety concerns regarding this access point, and despite having focused police presence, the City of Denver has decided to close this trail access point indefinitely. These concerns are compounded by the anticipated changes in topography resulting from the levee construction, which could further compromise visibility and safety.

Prior to the closure at 45th Avenue, a new access point at 46th Avenue will be opened. In addition, a temporary access point at Washington Street & Ringsby Court will open next summer, with permanent trail access at this point planned in the future.

For more information about the trail access closure please email: parksandrecreation@denvergov.org

Construction Announcement: July 2025

Starting in August 2025, the South Platte River Trail will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, between East 46th Avenue and the Globeville Landing Park pedestrian bridge. There will be a protected bike detour onto East 46th Avenue through the Denver Coliseum parking lot and Globeville Landing Park. South Platte River Trail access will also be closed at 45th Avenue behind the McDonald's. This replaces the protected bike detour on Washington Street which will be dismantled. All detours remain in effect until May 2026.

Study Goals or Purpose

The Globeville Levee project was identified as a key project to reduce flood risk in the Globeville/Utah Junction basin (Basin 0059-01) in the Globeville Stormwater System Study (GSSS) completed by Merrick and Company. The GSSS evaluated options and provided recommendations for reducing the risk of river flooding to avoid floodplain re-designation from this spill. The final draft of the GSSS dated December 2019 identified that the height of the existing levee located along the west side of the South Platte River, next to the existing trail, is approximately 2 feet lower than the 3 feet minimum freeboard required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in most locations, and identified a spill location during a 100-year storm event just south of 38th Street on the west bank of the river, south and upstream of the existing levee. The goal of the Globeville Levee project is to improve the existing levee to meet the FEMA requirements, and install a new levee to eliminate the spill at 38^th Street.

Study Area Map or Site Drawing

Project Schedule and Upcoming Next Steps

• Phase 1 (from 50th Ave to Franklin Street) – Phase 1 of levee construction is complete. Phase 1 is part of the 52nd and Emerson Water Quality Project (Carpio Sanguinette Park/Heron Pond) and was built concurrently with the 51st Avenue Bridge Project.
• Phase 2 (from 50th Avenue to 38th Street) – Construction began October 2024.
• Phase 3 (from 38th Street to 31st Street) – Final design is expected to follow completion of Phase 2.

Globeville Levee Project Schedule - Full Size(JPG, 38KB)

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:

Terry Martin, P.E.
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Terry.Martin@denvergov.org

Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are improving Carpio-Sanguinette Park and Heron Pond Open Space with a new regional playground and pavilion, pump track, trails, landscaping, and stormwater quality upgrades. Stormwater infrastructure work was completed in 2024, and the final phase of park construction begins January 2025. The park will remain closed to the public until 2026 when construction is complete.

The pedestrian and bicycle connections to the regional South Platte River Trail will be open during Phase 2 park construction.

For more information, please visit the Carpio-Sanguinette Park and Heron Pond Open Space page.

Project Description

As part of the 2017 Elevate Denver Bond "Globeville Elyria Swansea Pedestrian Connectivity Improvements", the Lincoln/I-70 Underpass Pedestrian Improvements Project provides pedestrian enhancements on Lincoln Street between 46th Avenue and E 46th Avenue in Globeville, including lighting upgrades, sidewalk/pedestrian curb ramp improvements, installation of bulb-outs (concrete curb extensions), and green infrastructure enhancements. The project area extends to the north and south of the Lincoln Street/I-70 underpass on Lincoln Avenue and to the west and east of the underpass on 46th Avenue.

• Lighting: Enhanced downcast and pedestrian lighting.
• Sidewalk/pedestrian curb ramps: Wider sidewalks and ADA-compliant curb ramps at entrances of the underpass.
• Bulb-outs: Also known as curb extensions, bulb-outs were installed at the north and south side of the underpass to reduce pedestrian crossing distances and encouraging slower vehicle speeds.

Project Goals

This project will improve safety for pedestrians by implementing traffic-calming, improving lighting at the underpass and improving pedestrian connectivity and accessibility needs at the project area. In addition to serving as an important bus route (RTD route 8), Lincoln Street offers connection to important destinations including Garden Place Elementary, businesses and community centers along 45th Avenue, places of worship, and much more.

Project Status: Open

The underpass is officially open. The project is now awaiting installation of overhead street lights and street sweeping signs.

Project Site Map

• Lincoln Underpass Meeting Boards (English and Spanish)(PDF, 173KB)

Project Contact Info - City PM Email

For more information or questions about this project, please contact:

Matt Schwindt
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
matthew.schwindt@denvergov.org

Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) is committed to constructing safer, greener, and more accessible streets for everyone through the GES Safer Streets project (formerly known as the North Denver Safer Streets project). We're building on the community's priorities to deliver safer and slower streets in the Globeville and Elyria Swansea neighborhoods – improving safety for people walking, bicycling, scooting, rolling, and driving – between now and 2028.

These improvements will help to slow speeds, reduce cut-through traffic, make crossings safer, provide space for bicyclists/scooter riders, make bus stops accessible, and add more greenery to our streets.

Read more about GES Safer Streets

Project Description

$17 million in funding from Elevate Denver Bond “Globeville Elyria-Swansea Pedestrian Connectivity Improvements”. First set of projects currently in design, and construction of first projects anticipated to start within next year and continue for next several years in different areas throughout the neighborhood.

Study Goals or Purpose

There are a number of pedestrian and sidewalk improvements planned in Globeville/Elyria-Swansea (GES) to be constructed in 2021-2023. There may be impacts to the construction timeline due to ROW/utilities. Please visit the project website (linked above) for more information on sidewalk project locations in the GES area.

Project Description

The City and County of Denver, in coordination with the Globeville community, conducted a two-year study of the Washington Street corridor that concluded in 2018. The study recommended redesigning Washington Street to support the community’s vision for a mixed-use riverfront destination that capitalizes on its proximity to the South Platte River and National Western Center.

The preferred alternative for Washington Street from 38th Avenue north to 52nd Avenue includes vehicle travel lanes, possible landscape amenity zones, bike and pedestrian facilities, on-street parking and green infrastructure. The Washington Street improvements Final Design and Construction effort will address design and construction from 47th Avenue to 52nd Avenue.

Construction will begin in Q1 2026. 

Beginning in January 2025, there will be intermittent, temporary reductions to one lane of traffic on Washington Street, and temporary intersection closures may be necessary.

Project Area Map

Project Timeline

• 2024: Final design complete
• January 2025 - January 2026: Preconstruction and utility relocations
• January 2026 - August 2027: Washington Street construction

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:
Mark Gonzales – Mark.Gonzales@denvergov.org

National Western Center CAC

November 19, 2025

An in-person National Western CAC meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 19 with a highlight on GES PoP project impacts and updates. 

Meeting recording

Community Open Houses

June 12, 2025

• A special in-person GES CAG Workshop was held June 12, 2025 to provide feedback on transportation improvements to the Globeville Elyria-Swansea (GES) Safer Streets project team.
• Johnson Recreation Center
• 4809 Race Street, Denver
• Meeting Presentation(PDF, 4MB)

February 23, 2023

A community open house was held at Project Angel Heart on February 23, 2023.  Project managers from the following projects were available to answer questions and provide updates:

• Heron Pond Stormwater Improvements at 51st Avenue – Project Update
• 48th Avenue Greenway – Project Update
• Washington Street Design & Construction: 47th Ave to 52nd Ave – Corridor design plan updates and amenity zone concepts

August 25, 2022

We held an in-person Washington Area Public Meeting on August 25, 2022.  The meeting was held in Argo Park with the purpose of highlighting key projects underway in the Washington area including the 48th Avenue Outfall, Washington Corridor Connectivity Study, Washington Street Design, Globeville Levee, Heron Pond, Denver Connector and other community updates. 

December 14, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording (YouTube)

Meeting Presentation(PDF, 3MB)(PDF, 3MB)

Washington Street Area Connectivity Map - Full Size(JPG, 2MB)(JPG, 2MB)

September 14, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording

May 18, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording